Sample cup apparatus for use in x-ray spectroscopy employing selectively operated venting means

Abstract

A sample cup for use in spectroscopy consists of a cap member having an extending peripheral flange about a closed top surface, with a downwardly extending cylindrical bottom section, the peripheral flange of the cap member has a through aperture located on the inner edge of the flange and extending towards the periphery, a cell body is of a tubular configuration with an opened top and bottom with the opened top surrounded by a flange having an aperture on an inner surface for communicating with the internal hollow of the cell body. The cap member is adapted to coact with the opened top of the cell body and is rotatably supported thereon, whereby in a first mode the through aperture communicates with the cell aperture to create a vent passageway and in a second rotatable position, the apertures do not align to create a closed cell mode. The opened bottom of the cell body is covered by a thin plastic sheet which is held in position after a sample is placed in the hollow of the cell body by an annular retaining ring.

I claim: 
     
       1. A selectively ventable sample cup for retaining a specimen to be subjected to spectrochemical analysis, comprising, a cell body of a cylindrical configuration having an opened top and an opened bottom, and having a first peripheral flange about said opened top with an aperture means on an inner periphery of said first flange in communication with an internal hollow defined by said cell body,   a rotatable cap member positioned over said opened top of said cell body, said rotatable cap member having a closed top surface and a peripherally disposed sidewall, wherein said top surface is surrounded by a second peripheral flange extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, wherein said peripherally disposed sidewall is insertable within said opened top of said cell body, said second extending peripheral flange limiting the depth of penetration of said peripheral sidewall into said cell body, said closed top surface and said second upwardly and outwardly extending peripheral flange defining a reservoir for collecting liquid, said second flange having aperture means, with said second flange of said cap member sitting on said first flange of said cell body when said peripherally disposed sidewall is inserted within said open top to enable said aperture means of said first and said second flanges to communicate when said cap member is in a first rotatable position to form an interior venting passageway from the internal hollow of said cell to said reservoir and to close said passageway in a second rotatable position,   means covering said opened bottom of said cell body when a specimen is contained within said hollow.   
     
     
       2. The sample cup according to claim 1, wherein said extending peripheral flange of said cap member has a knurled outer side edge for ease in rotating. 
     
     
       3. The sample cup according to claim 1, wherein said cell body and cap member are fabricated from polyethylene. 
     
     
       4. The sample cup according to claim 1, wherein said aperture means of said first and said second flanges are rectangular in shape. 
     
     
       5. The sample cup according to claim 1, wherein said means covering said opened bottom of said cell body comprises a thin sheet of plastic stretched over said opened bottom, and an annular retaining ring position about an outer edge of said cell body near said opened bottom to hold said sheet in place. 
     
     
       6. The sample cup according to claim 5, wherein said thin plastic sheet is a polyester film. 
     
     
       7. The sample cup according to claim 1, wherein said cell body further includes a peripheral ridge located about an inner surface of said body and extending radially inwardly into said internal hollow. 
     
     
       8. The sample cup according to claim 7, wherein said peripherally disposed sidewall of said cap member includes a peripheral depression on an outer surface of said sidewall for coacting with said peripheral ridge of said cell body to enable rotation of said cap member with respect to said body. 
     
     
       9. The sample cup according to claim 1, wherein said cell body has a peripheral depression around an outer surface thereof and located nearer said opened bottom to coact with and retain an annular ring member. 
     
     
       10. The sample cup according to claim 9, wherein said annular ring member has an inwardly extending peripheral ridge about a top opening and adapted to coact with said depression in said cell body.